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CNY Jazz Cabaret Features Gerald Veasley and Jazmin Ghent – Linda Ervin to Receive Pioneer Public Service Award – S.U. Sponsors Artist Residency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Larry Luttinger
441 E. Washington St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
315-479-5299
larry@cnyjazz.org

CNY Jazz Cabaret Features Gerald Veasley and Jazmin Ghent
Linda Ervin to Receive Pioneer Public Service Award
S.U. Sponsors Artist Residency

Syracuse NY – On Sunday February 23rd, the CNY Jazz Black History Month Cabaret will again enliven the posh surroundings of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown’s Finger Lakes Ballroom. National artists Gerald Veasley and Jazmin Ghent will perform. At intermission, Onondaga County Legislator Linda Ervin will be honored with the 2020 Pioneer Public Service Award. A CNY Jazz youth combo will entertain in the Cavalier Room prior to the show. $35 advance sale tickets are now available at www.cnyjazz.org.

Brackens Financial Solutions Network, LLC sponsors the event for the 12th year, with additional support from National Grid, Wegmans, Visions Federal Credit Union, Syracuse Sounds of Music Association, and the Syracuse University Humanities Center. CNY Jazz supporters Bill and Nancy Byrne have again graciously underwritten a full buffet for the event, offered at no extra cost to all attendees.

Additional events will extend the cultural impact and reach of the gala concert. On Monday February 25th, Veasley and Ghent will provide educational services for area students at events sponsored by the Syracuse University Humanities Center, a wide network of academic departments, and the Community Folk Arts Center. Gerald Veasley, musical polymath – world renowned bassist, founder of the international “Bass Boot Camp” program, musical host of the Berks Jazz Fest, and curator of Philadelphia’s “Unscripted” Jazz Series; and fast-rising female ingenue, saxophonist/vocalist/educator Jazmin Ghent – a Veasley protégé and 2019 NAACP award winner – will speak at a free event at noon in Bird Library’s Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, where they will reflect on their paths to success in the music industry. Monday evening, they will coach a free 7:00 pm music master class at the Community Folk Art Center, 805 E. Genesee St, for young musicians, who are encouraged to bring their instruments. Attendees must register at cfac@syr.edu or by calling 315-442-2230.

Gerald Veasley played in West Philly RnB bands in his teens. He entered the international marketplace as bassist for the legendary Joe Zawinul, playing in The Zawinul Syndicate from 1988 to 1995. A successful recording and touring career as leader followed. Among his many musical associations are projects with Odean Pope and Grover Washington, Jr.

The young Jazmin Ghent was voted “2017’s Best New Smooth Jazz Artist” and was awarded the prestigious 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album, “The Story of Jaz.” Jazmin has three Billboard #1 singles to her credit: “Work Wit It,” “Heat” and “Compared to What”. Jazmin has performed at major festivals and venues throughout the country, in Europe, and Australia. In addition to performing, she teaches music in Polk County Florida. Jazmin received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Florida State University and a Masters degree from Tennessee State University.

“These two bring a massive arsenal of talent to bear when they take the stage, and have a lot to pay forward to the next generation. When CNY Jazz brings artists to Syracuse, our policy is to capitalize on that presence to make their stay more than the sum of its parts,” according to Larry Luttinger, organizer of the cabaret series. “Jazz is the centerpiece of America’s culture, with great unifying power. Our incredible collection of sponsors deserves copious thanks for their important contributions to this celebration of the diversity of our culture, especially Vicki Brackens, without whose help this event would not have grown to the signature February event that it’s become.”

Linda Ervin, long-time Onondaga County Legislator, deeply committed community leader and winner of a long list of awards including the NAACP Image Award, will be honored for her many years of dedicated public service with the 2020 Pioneer Public Service Award, given by Vicki Brackens and Mike Atkins, founder of H.E.I.Y.P, the Helping Empower Incarcerated Youth Program.

The CNY Jazz Cabarets always feature fine national talent in a club atmosphere, with cash bar and food available. Paid garage parking is available in the garage directly to the southeast of the hotel. Patrons are cautioned that the former Hotel Syracuse garage no longer connects to the hotel via the overhead walkway.

What: Black History Month Cabaret with Gerald Veasley and Jazmin Ghent
Where: Marriott Syracuse Downtown, 100 E Onondaga St, Syracuse, NY 13202
When: Sunday February 23rd, 4 pm Doors; 5 pm SHOWTIME

How Much: Admission $40 door, $35 advance at cnyjazz.org/subscribe or 315-479-5299. Door $10 w/student ID. Cash Bar & Free Buffet

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About CNY Jazz
CNY Jazz Central, upstate New York’s largest year-round provider of jazz and American music in public and in schools, presents over 300 events to an annual audience of over 50,000. They include a summer season of festivals and concerts including the Northeast Jazz & Wine Fest and Jazz in the City; the CNY Jazz Cabaret Series, a busy arts-in-education service, shows at downtown’s Jazz Central theater, the SummerJazz Workshop, music series held at Le Moyne College’s Le Moyne Plaza, the Jazz at the Cavalier Series at the historic Marriott Syracuse Downtown, and other series of all kinds throughout the extended region.

Gerald Veasely & Jazmin Ghent